UK Government Rejects Petition to Overhaul Maternity Pay

The United Kingdom government rejected a petition signed by nearly 69,000 people calling for a significant overhaul of the national maternity pay system. The campaign, initiated by Joeli Brearley, demanded that mothers receive 90 percent of their salary for the first 12 weeks of leave, with subsequent payments matching the National Minimum Wage.

In a response published October 9, officials stated that maternity pay is intended to provide financial support rather than replace full earnings. The government noted that standard weekly rates were increased by 3.8 percent in April 2026 to £194.32 to account for inflation.

While the government denied the specific demands of the petition, it is currently conducting a Parental Leave and Pay Review. Launched July 1, 2025, the review aims to examine how the system can better support families and is expected to conclude in early 2027.